The Cost of Darkness

The Culture C.O-.O.P, in partnership with UC Davis Students, Equity Partners from around the country, Educators, Special Guests, and Community Members who have been impacted significantly by inequity, oppression, injustice and supremacy ideology, have created this documentary to encourage a variety of entities to envision strategies for effective interventions and impact their environments from a more holistic perspective.  It is designed to create a foundational “mindshare” so that individuals, organizations, communities and others will develop visions, roadmaps for success, and action steps, which address the “root” causes of the inequities we see in society, and increase chances for having solutions which are more effective.  A holistic and informed  approach is critical as we explore all of these issues against the current challenges our major institutions, Country and the World is facing. Inequity, and ineffective solutions are especially impacting people with darker skin, though everyone is affected negatively, to some degree. Hence, we are not seeing the needle move much when it comes to addressing equity related outcomes for all. This documentary, along with facilitation before and after each segment, allows people to improve outcomes, in their settings, form a “Human Systems Dynamics,” perspective and not in isolation, or reactionary ways. The documentary is designed to be used in 8 sessions of 2 hours each which allows for the following:

• Gives a foundational introduction on historical practices, constructs, policies and supremacy ideology which still affect outcomes for a variety of cultural groups and systems today

• Facilitates a deeper discussion of historical inequity, oppression and supremacy ideology so that deeper solutions can be explored

• Lays a foundational knowledge base and understanding of the concept of “Compounded Institutional Impact” and the complicated structures they create which require creative and thoughtful strategies to overcome

• Plants the seeds and impetus for a systems approach, built upon evidence-based strategies, and goals and objectives, which address the root causes of the challenges we are seeing. In addition, it encourages thoughtful interventions which are more likely to be informed and successful long term.

• Encourages the building of a “Mosaic” approach where a variety of partners work together, focusing on their particular strengths, but as a part of a “Whole,” system of approach

• The Paradigm for transformation , which the Documentary is a part of, is designed for long term systemic changes which uses a variety of strategies to impact things like entrenched inequity, Racism/isms, and the marginalization of impacted cultural groups in general, which is historic and disproportionally impacts marginalized populations, though everyone overall.

Summary of The Cost of Darkness